The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) defines assisted living as, “a senior living option that combines apartment style housing, organized social interaction, and private duty support services as needed.” An assisted living facility has resources to aid with daily activities such as bathing, taking proper medication, eating meals, and transportation.

Now that we are bit more familiar with assisted living facilities, does your loved one sound like they would be a good fit for assisted living? Here are some of the important factors to consider when choosing the best fit.

Types of Facilities

Assisted living facilities are usually communities ranging in size from 25 to 120 residents. The types of housing options depend on the residents’ level of independence and they care they require. Some facilities have a range of options to help people stay in the community as their needs change over time.

For personal space, you can choose from single or shared rooms or personal apartments. Residents have their own TVs, mini fridges, and other personal items, along with privacy that comes with their chosen rooms. Otherwise, the common areas are shared among everyone.

As time goes on and needs change, you can add on more care services or make the transition into a more supportive or health-focused facility. These could be from nursing homes, dementia/Alzheimer’s care, or hospice care.

Cost

When it comes to paying for assisted living, many facilities are privatized. According to

Costs vary based on factors such as unit size, location, and available services. Another thing to think about: some places may charge a flat rate that covers many basic services, while others may charge a fee for each service that you can build on.

Although most people have planned for assisted care down the road, many don’t know how much it can cost until they start looking. Fortunately, there are many ways to pay for senior housing, ranging from government resources, reverse mortgages, long-term care insurance, and private pay options.

Assistance Level

Now that we have discussed costs and factors associated with differing levels of pricing, what exactly are those factors?

It is important to research and investigate different assisted living facilities, as locations vary with their offerings. Service can include assistance with daily living activities, housekeeping, social services, laundry services, dining programs, transportation, and exercise activities.

24-hour service and security are available in many assisted living communities, but it is important to look into the number of staff members relative to the size of the facility. This can ensure that these and emergency services can be delivered to the highest quality promised.

All this information is relevant when thinking about looking into the right assisted living community for your loved one. The AARP has published an excellent checklist for what to look for when visiting any facility.

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